Berks Encore is proud to announce it has received a $25,000 grant from Meals on Wheels America for its participation in Subaru of America’s seventh annual “Share the Love” event. During the event held from November 20, 2014 through January 2, 2015, Subaru of America, Inc. donated $250 for every new Subaru vehicle purchased or leased to the customer’s choice of participating charities, including Meals on Wheels America, of which Berks Encore is a member. Berks Encore earned second place honors in this national program. Across the country, 175 local Meals on Wheels programs participated in the program. Whatcom Council of Aging of Bellingham, Washington, was named the top grantee, followed by Berks Encore.
“We are pleased to accept this grant award from Meals on Wheels of America in recognition of the effort behind the ‘Share the Love’ Program that was sponsored by Steve Moyer Subaru,” said LuAnn Oatman, Berks Encore President/CEO. “The community effort in rallying behind this wonderful cause is so deeply indicative of the generosity of Berks County residents. We are grateful for all that has been accomplished on behalf of the seniors in need of a daily, home-delivered meal. The funds will be used for the Meals on Wheels program throughout Berks County.”
Berks Encore partnered with Steve Moyer Subaru, Leesport, during the 2014 holiday season to raise funds and awareness of senior isolation and hunger in Berks County through its “Share the Love – Stuff the Cooler” campaign. The campaign resulted in thousands of pounds of non-perishable food and toiletry items being collected for Meals on Wheels recipients and increased awareness of senior hunger in Berks County. Donations were collected at each of our six centers and at the Steve Moyer Subaru dealership. Non-perishable items and donations were also collected at partners Fleetwood Bank, Fleetwood; Lausch’s Moving & Storage, Shillington; Assured Assistance/Paramount Living Aids, Shillington; Heritage at Green Hills and Green Hills Manor, Reading; and Triose, Wyomissing.
In addition, Precision Medical, Denver, completed an in-house food collection, and the Reading Health System’s Rehabilitation Hospital, Wyomissing, donated the results of their holiday food drive to the Share the Love campaign. Other community groups, including local Girl Scout troops as well as Flying Hills Preschool, contributed donations.
“We greatly appreciate Subaru’s ongoing commitment to Meals on Wheels through its annual ‘Share the Love’ event,” said Ellie Hollander, Meals on Wheels America President and CEO. “Subaru of America and its local retailers across the country have truly become an extension of the Meals on Wheels family. Even long after this event concludes, Subaru helps us to deliver that warm meal, friendly smile and vital safety check that are so vital to millions of America’s seniors.”
“Subaru, our retailers, and our owners feel good about giving to organizations like Meals on Wheels, and that’s why we do the Subaru ‘Share the Love’ event,” said Brian Cavallucci, Subaru of America’s National Advertising Manager. “Subaru is honored to have donated more than $8.4 million to Meals on Wheels over the past seven years, making a positive impact in local communities and the lives of our elderly loved ones.”
The 2014 “Share the Love” funds will continue to benefit local Meals on Wheels America Member organizations throughout the year through additional grant opportunities, Annual Conference scholarships and by sponsoring the organization’s March for Meals annual awareness campaign.
About Berks EncoreThe mission of BERKS ENCORE is to engage the community to enable older adults to achieve a better quality of life by providing a comprehensive program of services, referrals, education and advocacy. For more information, please contact Berks Encore at (610) 374-3195 or visit us on the Web at www.BerksEncore.org. Berks Encore’s main office is located in Reading.
About Meals on Wheels America (formerly Meals on Wheels Association of America)
Meals on Wheels America is the oldest and largest national organization supporting the more than 5,000 community-based programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior isolation and hunger. This network exists in virtually every community in America and, along with more than two million volunteers, delivers the nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks that enable America’s seniors to live nourished lives with independence and dignity. By providing funding, leadership, education and advocacy support, Meals on Wheels America empowers its local member programs to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time. For more information, or to find a Meals on Wheels provider near you, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org.
About Subaru of America, Inc. Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered at a zero-landfill office in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 600 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. For additional information visit media.subaru.com.
